Portable dam for irrigating ditches



Aug. 26, 1941. T. E. SAMPL E PORTABLE DAM FOR IRRIGATING DITCHES Filed Feb. 9, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ATTORNEYS.

JLZ'. Jam v20 Aug. 26, 1941. 'r. E. SAMPLE PORTABLE DAM FOR IRRIGATING DITCHES Filed Feb. 9, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 A TTORNEYS.

1941- T. E. SAMPLE PORTABLE DAM FOR IRRIGATING DITCHES 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 9, 1940 ZZZJaw vZe INVENTOR.

A TTORNEYS.

Patented Aug. 26, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PORTABLE DAM FOR IRRIGATING.

' DITCHES Thomas E. Sample, Scottsblufi', Nebr.

Application February 9, 1940, Serial No. 318,173

1 Claim. (Cl. 6129) This invention relates to irrigation, and particularly to the construction. of the dams or checks used in the ditches, forming a part of the irrigation system.

An important object of the invention is to provide a dam or check wherein complete control of the flow of water may be had, thereby compensating for the variation in the volume of water flowing through the ditch.

Another object of the invention is the provisionof means for directing quantities of the Water from the main ditch, into lateral ditches, insuring an accurate distribution of the water in a manner to eliminate washing away of the soil adjacent to the portable dam or check.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a dam or check constructed of flexible material such as canvas or the like, which may be readily and easily folded into a small and compact package to facilitate the storing and transportation of the dam, when not in use.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein described, may be made within the scope of What is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a portable dam or check, constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional View taken on line 44 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a fragmental sectional view, illustrating one of the lateral spouts or pipes, illustratin the spout or pipe as closed to prevent the passage of water therethrough.

Figure 6 is a fragmental sectional view illustrating the main portion of the dam or check, and the canvas outlet pipe through which the volume of water passing from the dam, may be regulated.

Figure 7 is a plan view of the dam or check, illustrating a modified form of distributing means as connected With one of the lateral pipes of the device.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the dam comprises a frame embodying side bars 5 which have connection with the end bar 6, the end bar 6 constituting the down-stream end of the frame.

The frame supports the length of canvas material indicated at l, the shape of the canvas material being such as to conform to the shape of the main ditch, in which the dam is positioned. The dam also includes an end piece 8 which is formed with an opening, spaced from the bottom of the dam, as clearly shown by Figure 3 of the drawings. This opening provides an outlet for the water in the dam, and in order that the water passing through the opening will not Wash the Wall of the ditch away, a canvas discharge pipe indicated at 9 is provided, the discharge pipe being connected to the end piece 8.

Straps indicated at I0 are secured to the discharge pipe 9, and arranged in spaced relation with respect to each other, the straps providing openings through which the chain II is extended, one end of the chain being formed with a ring l2 through which the opposite end of the chain is extended, as shown by Figure 1 of the drawings. The extended end of the chain may now be positioned over the hook I 3, to support the discharge pipe. It will of course be understood that this discharge pipe is normally floating on the water in the ditch, and that by adjusting the chain II, the diameter of the discharge pipe 9 may be reduced, to reduce the volume of Water passing through the discharge pipe.

Lateral canvas pipes indicated at I 4 extend from the sides of the main portion of the dam, and communicate with the interior of the dam, through the openings I 5. These pipes 14 are arranged at opposite sides of the dam, and are also provided with straps indicated at 16 that are secured in spaced relation with each other, providing openings through which the chains I! extend. These chains may be hooked over the hooks l8, to support the lateral canvas pipes, and they may also be pulled to reduce the diameters of the pipes l4, controlling the quantity of water passing through the lateral pipes. Should it be desired to cut out the flow of Water through either of the lateral pipes, the chain may be drawn tightly as disclosed by Figure 5 of the drawings, completely closing the lateral pipes.

As shown by Figure 7 of the drawings, an attachment has been provided for distributing the water passing from a lateral pipe I4, so that the water will be directed to the rows of growing vegetation. The attachment embodies a main pipe IQ of a flexible type, and constructed preferably of canvas, the pipe having a substantially large end so that it may be fitted over the discharge end of a lateral pipe M, as shown. Snap hooks indicated at 20 are provided on the lateral pipes [4, the snap hooks being positioned in the rings 21 secured to the main pipe l9.

At the outer end of the main pipe I9, is a transversely disposed pipe 22 also constructed of canvas material, and to this pipe 22 are connected a. plurality of discharge pipes 23 arranged in spaced relation with respect to each other, and dsiposed throughout the length of the pipe 22.

Each of the pipes 23 is provided with straps providing eyes through which the chains 24 are extended, so that the pipes may be closed or partially closed, at the will of the operator, toregulate the volume of water passing through the pipes.

Similar chains indicated at 25 are provided on the pipe 22 and may also be operated to close the pipe 22 or restrict the diameter thereof, to regulate the flow of water therethrough.

From the foregoing it will be seen that due to the construction shown and described, I have provided a portable dam which may be folded into a small and compact package for storing, and one which may be transported with facility.

When the dam has been properly positioned, it will be seen that the flow of water through the ditch in which the dam is positioned, may be controlled, vto the end that quantities of water may be directed laterally of the dam to supply lateral irrigating ditches, and the surplus water passing into the dam will be carried ofi through the discharge pipe 9 and deposited in the ditch at a point beyond the dam, eliminating any possibility of the water flowing through the dam, washing the banks of the ditch, to defeat the purpose of th invention.

What is claimed is:

In a portable dam, a frame adapted to rest on the surface at the upper edge of a ditch, a body portion supported by the frame and comprising canvas material adapted to conform to the shape of the ditch in which the dam is positioned, a canvas pipe section extending from the body portion, spaced straps secured to the outer surface of the canvas pipe section, a chain extended through the straps and having a ring at one end thereof, the opposite end of the chain adapted to be passed through the ring, slidably connecting one end of the chain to the main portion of the chain, a hook member on the frame and over which said chain is adapted to be positioned, securing the chain in various positions of adjustment, and said chain adapted to reduce the diameter of the canvas pipe at a point intermediate the ends of the canvas pipe, when the chain is drawn through the ring, thereby regulating the flow of water through the canva s pipe.

THOMAS E. SAMPLE. 

